When planning a house move, it is essential that you remember to update your address with all service providers and institutions. While changing your address might seem simple at first, it can get confusing when you think about how many people you need to notify of your change of address – especially among the chaos of moving.
As a moving-house task that is often overlooked, we’ve created this handy list of who you need to notify when moving home. So continue reading to discover all the services you need to tell when you’re relocating.
Local Authorities
Before you move, you must remember to inform the local authority of your changing address. When it comes to notifying your local authority, you’ll need to change your address with:
- Council Tax
- Electoral Roll
- Department of Work & Pensions
It’s important that you notify your local authority that you’ve moved so that you can register to pay council tax. Many people make the mistake of waiting until they receive a letter from their local authority regarding their council tax, hoping they can avoid payments for a couple of weeks. However, the council will simply backdate your payments and you’ll end up having to pay in the end.
When you move, you’ll also need to re-register on the Electoral Roll for your new area with your updated details. This is important as being registered on the Electoral Roll is crucial to your Credit Report and your chances of getting accepted for credit.
Finally, if you’re receiving money from the government, you’ll need to update your details with the DWP to ensure you don’t miss out on any important correspondence regarding your benefits. Also, you don’t want any confidential information making it into the wrong hands.
Recreational
As well as all the essential institutions, it’s important to remember to notify all the recreational services that you’re subscribed to, such as:
- Gyms and health clubs
- Subscriptions
- Loyalty cards
If you’re moving long distances, you’ll also need to cancel subscriptions to local gyms or health clubs that you won’t be visiting anymore. Otherwise, you might end up paying for a subscription you’re no longer able to use.
Next, you’ll also want to inform any postal subscriptions you have, such as newspapers or magazines. Again, if you fail to inform them of your change of address, they’ll likely keep sending things to your old home and you’ll have to keep on paying.
Finally, it’s important to change your address with any companies you have loyalty cards with. For example, whether it’s a supermarket loyalty card, high-street shops, or restaurants, having the correct address registered is crucial to keep getting your discounts.
Utilities
When it comes to moving home, there are also a number of household providers you’ll need to cancel or transfer to ensure you’re well-equipped to settle into your new house and aren’t paying for services you’re no longer using. These include:
- Gas & electricity
- Water
- Broadband
- TV License
First, you’ll need to update your address with your energy provider so they know which property’s energy consumption to charge you for. It can take up to 48 hours for energy providers to update your information and it’s important you take a last-minute reading of your meter to send to them. This will ensure you’re not charged for gas or electricity that you haven’t used.
Another utility provider you’ll need to notify of your house move is your water supplier. If you’re moving to a different area, you’ll likely have a different water provider, so will need to cancel your current service and let them know when you’ll be moving out and the date beyond which you won’t be using the water.
You may also want to cancel your existing broadband subscription as you’ll likely be able to get a better deal when you move to your new house. Otherwise, you will need to let them know that your broadband needs to move to your new address.
Finally, your TV License won’t be valid when you move house so you will need to let them know that you’ve changed your address. This can be done up to 3 months in advance of your move.
Vehicle
If you own a vehicle and are moving house, it’s essential that you keep all your details up-to-date to avoid breaking the law and receiving some hefty fines. When it comes to your vehicle, you’ll need to notify:
- DVLA
- Breakdown cover
- Car insurance
- Vehicle Log Book (V5C)
Keeping your driving license details up-to-date is actually a legal requirement. If you fail to update your address with the DVLA, you could be landed with a £1000 fine. So, it’s important to do so as soon as possible before moving. The DVLA will then send you a replacement driving license within 2-4 weeks.
You will also need to change your information for breakdown cover. This is particularly important for providers who charge different rates based on the area you live in. They will also need to know where to take you in the event of a breakdown.
It’s also important that you change your address with your car insurance provider. This is for both your car insurance payments and for your contact information in case of an accident.
Finally, you’ll have to update your information on your V5C Vehicle Log Book. This is for your vehicle tax and forgetting to do so could result in a £1000 fine.
Healthcare
If you’re moving house, you might also have a change to your healthcare services, especially if you’re moving quite far from your previous property. You’ll need to inform the following that you’re moving house:
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Vet
When you move house you’ll need to let your doctor’s surgery know so that they can forward all your medical information to your new doctor. This is also the case with dentists and vets.
Sometimes, if you’re not moving too far from your old house, you can continue to see the same doctor, dentist, and vet. However, you will need to double-check with them to make sure they’re willing to keep treating you at your new location.
Money
There are a number of money-related services and accounts you’ll need to notify when moving house to ensure your personal details are kept safe. These include:
- Banks
- Pensions
- Premium Bonds
- Credit/Debit card companies
- Insurance providers
You should let your bank or building society know that you’re changing your address as close to your move date as possible. Your address is an essential factor when it comes to proving your identity and failing to update this information could put you at risk of identity theft.
While you’re changing your address with the bank, it’s a good idea to also update your details with your credit or debit card companies. Any charges to your credit card will require an up-to-date address, not only for the bill but also to prove your identity.
Regardless of whether you’re on a private pension plan or a State Pension, you’ll need to inform them of your house move. They’ll need an up-to-date address to prove your identity and to send important correspondence regarding your pension fund.
It’s also important that you don’t forget to update your address for any Premium Bonds that you’ve invested in. If you don’t, you won’t be able to receive any potential winnings.
Finally, you will need to notify each one of your insurance providers, including life insurance, health insurance, home insurance, travel insurance, and pet insurance. This is important because insurers will take your postcode into account when working out your premium and cost of cover. However, they will also need it to keep your contact details updated and to know where to send your bills.
Checkout related article: Why You Need Professionals When You Move
